Boards Quote by Oscar Levant
“When I appeared before the draft board examiner during World War II, he asked me if I thought I could kill. "I don't know about strangers," I replied, "but friends, certainly."”
About This Quote
Even in war, the speaker distinguishes between killing strangers and friends, highlighting moral boundaries in combat.
In simple terms: He refuses to kill strangers but accepts killing friends.
Recognize personal moral limits in extreme situations.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military service
- ethical training
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you faced a moral compromise?
- Can duty justify harming those you care about?
War demands actions that may conflict with personal morals.